The morning light poured through the tall glass windows of the Governor's Hall. The long marble table gleamed beneath the chandeliers, and the smell of roasted bread, coffee, and ocean salt filled the air.
Hasan sat at the head of the table, wearing his uniform half-buttoned, his eyes thoughtful. Around him were the men and women who now controlled the fractured continents – Fakhrul, Hridoy, Zara, Rafi, Rafiq, Joseph, Tayeb, Zaber, Darwin, and the Musa. The world had found a fragile rhythm again, but the silence at that table carried something uneasy – like the calm before thunder.
They ate in light conversation until Hasan set down his cup. His tone was calm, but carried the weight of command.
Hasan: "How are the controls over your continents? Are the armies and presidents still obeying the Accord?"
One by one, the Governors reported their duties – each in their own careful tone.
Tayeb (voice steady, but low): "Asia is under control. People respect the Accord, but whispers remain. Many still see me as the man who fought beside Siddik, and not as a leader in my own right."
Rafi (voice sharp): "South America is stable, but my search for Siddik never stops. I will not let his disappearance go unanswered."
Rafiq (eyes darkened by memory): "North America prospers quietly. The citizens do not question my rule. But quiet can be dangerous. People forget history too easily."
Joseph: "Europe obeys the Accord. Order is maintained. That is all that matters."
Darwin's gaze flicked to Musa, who signed slowly:
"Africa obeys…, but the world is fragile. Siddik's vision is steady, yet the people's hearts are unpredictable."
Darwin (translate what Musa said): "He warns… trust the Accords, but beware the world's unrest."
Hasan listened quietly, nodding, calculating. When the reports ended, he looked up.
Hasan: "Good. Let's get out for a while. A beach inspection might clear our heads."
But before anyone could rise, Zaber stood, pushing his glasses up.
Zaber: "I'll need some time, Your Highness. There are new security blueprints from the Spiral Lab. I'll need Zara and Rafi to help me finalize them. I don't want to take any risks."
Hasan: "Fine. Do what you must. We'll take the tour without you."
The group split – the King and most of the Governors heading out toward the eastern coast, while Zaber, Zara, and Rafi vanished down the corridor toward the lab. The air outside was bright but heavy; seagulls screamed overhead, and waves crashed against the black cliffs.
As they walked, the Governors spread out naturally, each pair drawn by their own thoughts. They discussed various topics with each other.
Hasan and Joseph stopped near the water's edge. The wind tugged at their coats.
Hasan: "Joseph, what do you think about his disappearance?"
Joseph: "I can't surely answer the question. But I still think he'll come back, wherever he is."
Hasan: "You still believe what he did was right?"
Joseph (sighing): "I never thought of it that way. But sometimes I wonder – why me? Why did he choose me as governor over Darwin? He is a way better leader than I."
Hasan: "Maybe he knows both of you better than you know yourselves."
Joseph: "It's a high duty, King. I think, what if I fail him and his trust?"
Hasan (placing a hand on his shoulder): "You earned his trust, Joseph. If you doubt yourself, you doubt him."
Joseph nodded faintly, though his eyes stayed on the horizon.
Rafiq and Musa walked more slowly, side by side. The silent ocean mirrored Musa's quiet nature.
Rafiq: "Musa, why are you always so quiet? Were you mute since childhood, or is there something else?"
Musa (signing with a smirk): "Are you dumb? What kind of question is that?"
Rafiq (laughs softly): "Just kidding, buddy. Do you think Brother Hasan is rightful to the throne?"
Musa (sign language): "I don't know. He saw something in him, that's why he chose him that day."
Rafiq: "I think something has happened to Siddik. If not, then why no traces? There is no place where we didn't search."
Musa (sign language): "I think he saw something fishy here. He is pretending to be disappeared, but he'll come when we need him."
Rafiq didn't respond again. He just kept walking, eyes locked on the breaking waves, his silence heavier than any word.
Fakhrul and Tayeb walked further from the others and sat on a weathered bench overlooking the sea. The gulls were gone now. Only the distant hum of the wind remained.
Fakhrul: "Tayeb, why do you trust him so much? Why did you choose this path?"
Tayeb: "Maybe because our point of view was the same. Maybe because I felt the same pain that he felt. But you never liked his idea? Then why are you still here?"
Fakhrul: "You're right, Tayeb. I still don't. When he turned against me, I saw a fire in his eyes. I kept thinking about the words he said to me. Then realized he was right. We were just the pawns of our superiors. We were bound to obey their orders. We fought for humanity by killing the humans."
Tayeb: "That is why he chose this way. He needed just one route to enter the system. Grok gave him that route, and he changed the whole system. He gave us a dream – a chance for peace – and made it real. But we can't rely on the Accord forever."
Both paused for some time. Then Fakhrul broke it.
Fakhrul: "Do you ever feel guilty about Rasel?"
Tayeb: "I did what I had to. If Siddik died that day, the world would not feel the taste of peace. I didn't shoot Rasel for Siddik; I did it for humanity. You know, Brother Hridoy once asked Siddik during our first war if he had to choose between me and the fight, what he would choose. Siddik replied that he would choose both, and he kept his word. He always felt guilty for what he did to me. But I never blame him for this."
Fakhrul: "He was never responsible for any of the experiments. But Rasel was a good man, right?"
Tayeb: "Maybe. Or maybe he was consumed by revenge."
Fakhrul: "Revenge? What for?"
Tayeb: "I don't know. But he always hated Siddik. After Kawser's death, he wanted him dead immediately. Zara stopped him. The second time… I had to stop him myself. But what about Nafisa? You said she was from Spiral Crown. She trusted you with her life; still, she died from your bullet. You didn't even hesitate."
Fakhrul: "She came from Siddik's enemy's bloodline. You all saw her love and care for Siddik, but I saw her hatred. She never wanted him on our team. She knew about Grok from the beginning. She knew if Siddik entered our team, Spiral Crown would be doomed. I informed Siddik about the threat, but I didn't know about Grok and his army."
Tayeb: "Which of Siddik's works impressed you?"
Fakhrul: "In Shadow Island, I, Hridoy, and Siddik, went to save Zara. Siddik single-handedly killed Grok's army. And also until the Revenants showed up, Siddik fought till the end. These two fights I always remember. One thing of his always motivates me, not losing faith in oneself."
Tayeb: "That's true. Can I ask you something?"
Fakhrul: "Yes, Tayeb. Go on."
Tayeb: "Was Siddik fully right?"
Fakhrul: "I don't know."
By dusk, everyone returned to the castle. The sun had turned the sea to gold, but the air felt colder than before. Inside the hall, Zaber was waiting with a stack of documents.
Zaber: "King, I'd like permission to take all the blueprints and files with me. They'll be safer under my protection."
Hasan: "If you think you can keep them safe, take them. No objections."
Zaber nodded calmly, but the faint twitch of his fingers hinted at something else – anticipation or fear, no one could tell.
The next morning, the Governors boarded their helicopters. Engines roared. Dust spiraled. Hasan and Fakhrul stood near the landing pad, discussing plans. The guards kept a loose perimeter – it was supposed to be a routine departure.
Then it happened.
A man emerged from the distant tree line – tall, fast, eyes glowing an unnatural blue. In one swift motion, he drew a curved blade and charged straight toward Hasan and Fakhrul. Hasan turned too late – the steel flashed toward him. Fakhrul shoved him aside just in time, missing by inches.
Darwin reached first. Calm, precise. He drew his pistol, aimed once, and fired. The bullet tore through the man's forehead. He collapsed instantly, the light fading from his eyes, leaving only a faint blue glow in the blood pooling beneath him.
Darwin's voice cut through the ringing silence.
"Get him inside. Now. Find out who that man was."
Soldiers dragged the body away. Hasan stood motionless, staring at the corpse, his reflection distorted in the blue eyes. Something about the color – it reminded him of Siddik's warning, which he had been informed long ago.
Later that evening, the palace felt heavier. Wind howled through the high corridors. Hasan sat at his desk, staring at reports, unable to focus. Then – a soft flutter at the window.
A pigeon landed on the sill, carrying an envelope bound in dark thread. Hasan frowned, untied it, and broke the wax seal. His hand froze.
The seal bore a mark he hadn't seen in years.
The Spiral Crown.
He unfolded the letter.
The handwriting was sharp, almost mocking. He had seen the handwriting before, but couldn't remember.
"Do you think you are the true and real King?
Hahaha… I am coming to teach you how to rule the Spiral Island and the world.
Keep the throne ready. Because its real heir is coming."
Hasan's hand trembled slightly as he lowered the paper. The candlelight flickered, throwing his shadow across the map of the world behind him.
Outside, thunder rolled over the ocean. The calm had ended.